Tape dispenser provided with adjustable brush moistener



Feb. 24, 1953 T. H. lKRUEGER TAPE DISPENSER PROVIDED WITH ADJUSTALE BRUSH MOISTENER 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 30, 1949 Nm, Qm,

l INVENToR. 77/5000/@5/7( AfA/1555A? Feb. 24,1953 T H KRUEGER 2,629,358

TAPE DISPENSER PROVIDED WITH ADJUSTABLE BRSH MOISTENER Filed June so, 1949 4`sheets-sheet 2 36) um l q Q Q 68) 34 20) C) 38 l IIIIIIMIH Q @IWW Q f 46 44; "IHH/ IHHH .4 mgm 8 2 111i -2ML g4 A I' W4 `56 52 P fyi/M7012. A ,QL-'000,476 vz/5641 j 'I BY @auf -HTTDHNEYS Feb- 24, 1953 T. H. KRUEGER 2,629,358

TAPE DISPENSER PROVIDED WITH ADJUSTABLE BRUSH MOISTENER Filed June 30, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Y lllllllllllll Feb. 24, 1953 T. H. KRUEGER 2,629,358

y TAPE DISPENSER PROVIDED WITH ADJUSTABLE BRUSH MOISTENER Filed June 30, 1949 `4 Sl'neets-Sheel 4 A JNVENTOR. THe-00am' HA/aff/P Patented Feb. 24, 1953 PATENT o Fierce `TAPE11`IsrENsEn1itov1DEi WITHjADJ'UsT; VABLEBRUSH MOISTENER V "1hecid0r Krueger, Stratford,v Conn., 1as'signor to :Better Packages Incorporated, Shel-t0n, Gunn., va"*corporation af New York rnppiestionuneso, 1949,seria,-1No; 102,207'

. 1111 Glaims; (Cl. 118-223) This invention 'relates to "guinmel Y'tape dispensers, and rparticularly to farlju'stalelebru'sh moist'enermeehani'smf for ymeifstening 'the tape las itis'riispensed.

bIng1immeri tape dispensers, particularly these designed for vthe 'rapid dispensingpf tape "for sealing nbre shipping cases, 'the moistening of the'-iry' giuebn the tape' 'must 'lbetcontrlld with `great precision. 'The 'tapes iised are voften f substantial width-and long lengths dispensedfat comparatively `high speeds. Irexaetly the riiit amountjof Vir'fater-is not-appliedfto th'e'tape;A satisfa-etoryv results will follow. A-I toolttlewater is applied,the gluewill 'not loe-sufficiently vsoftene'dend Athe 4"water may ibeappl-eti only kin streaks so f that'partso'f the :glue vwill not aiihe're atY all. if too much Water-islappliedf'the glue vvill be -reiu'ee'c'lD to a slipperyfcondition, rather than y the tacky condition which isl 'necessaryv for Satisfactory adhesion. f so'mueli Water has been applied that theglue is ooded, thenv'vhe'n the patin-er tries to rub' the* tapef've'r the box seams, it -Will not -aolherepreperlm -as` conditions for proper ari'hesienJ between' the tapeandbox' vcan not be brought about untiiafter the; packer" has stopped rubbing `tile tape down; In either instance thelbo'x will -be improperly seale`d,jsueh a condition, lhowever, jprobabiy net 'beeo'rnin'g Aaipsparent until/after vtheshipinent *has `IgoneA for- Ward. Acordingly' many of the loxesfwillfbreak open in the freightcarsor' trucks,v and valuable merchandise may thus be damaged'or lost. The results from impropermoistenirlg` ofthe tapeVv are thus more far `"re'atliing than may be imag-ined.

To 4seal f aA Vshipping `case safely, the" ncemplete surlace'of` the tape should yloe rnoislened'V withA a unbrokeniim ofwateriin 'suieient quantity to 'render the -tape'tackyrather than slippery. In order to apply such a film of Water"to"a' rapidly movingtape; it is necessary 4to supply aonsiderable'buteontrlled amount of Water. Thernost `snecessfull method which has been fudfor such application involves the use of an inverted' brush which 'stands in a reservoir and `feeds the" Water 'upward by Capillary attraction. A' presslreplat which is usually pivoted'and adjustably'weighted, presses thetape upon the tips of' the `brush .bristies and also serves tomaintain a'lni ofw'ater 'between itself and thek tips of the bristlesjv'fhen no tape is passing over the brush. This film of Water preventsu the'bri'stles from :getting dry and keeps the machine at all times in 1condition'for instant use. v

"The use -of `a single inverte'cl'brush 'has not been found Wholly elective, however, kfor the moistenling fof long rlength's 'fr Y rapidly moving taper Aceordinglyf-two or more bnisnesifarraned in tandem 'are preferably. prvide'dras-set forth. lin Eater-lt No. 11,962,720. I.The useio'f Ya .piuralityzrof brushes-:is superior Sto a: single lorusl'i` vfor"-sever'e,1 rease'ns. In the caser aiA .af .single ler11sh-the.pas-V sageef the tapeLthereover-.is often so rapidi that the Water iilm tears apart into?streaksinsteadzef being-applied 'Continuously over. thegumnieli srfa'ee. With v`:brushes 'the :surfae :is brushed evertwice sor that al lrn .which maynbe applied in streaks by therstibnus'h is 'ss'moothly spreadA over the glu'e ley the'rsecond; brush. LME-i11- tipleiprushes-fare also more 'efective-inlraising the Water' from the-1-'es'ervoir. by':capillaryvattrat tien, beease'- two brush-es :Willi haver almost: 'doulileitheeXppsed snnflaeepf a :single lb'rush, even theug'h. the -s-inglelbush were madethethickness ef the two bri'ishesfcombined; "In like manner a combinationy of' three: spaeeel 'rbrushes `lvvillgive apprc?lriniate1y three times" the Water l eedingfeap'agiiy;

The f proper useff inultipl'e brushes, however, presents fa A number. fof problems not Jenountere'd the" use: (ifa4 or =brush inei'stenerofA the"E pus-i12 fee'dtype. Ferexample,` ini this typefofdispenser a-piveted pressurepiat preferably usedlwnieh is pivoteabove'the atit'sedge nearest Ito the .shear .on a flixelpivot, sothatirrespeotive f the-'degree' 'Cif1 vtin, Lit l lis* always in align-- nient with the 'shear `-atttheI pvotdedge s fasi to form -aIfnoiltll*of` ril'lc'atn into v-uifhiish-tine 'leading end` of'4 the vtape#Wi-11 enter fandiv eS guided over the brush tips. Gravity isrelie'd upon-to keep the'- pressure plate' oiitar'ctL Withfthefwater iiim overltheftep-fe thzb'uslr er brushes inthe 'ease of a; single brush, tl'iis-atil is S'nile'eveil tho-ugh titel-,brushwinnend-when wet. when two or' three' brushes 'are used;y however, lfvvitlif 'a pressure plate -Whieh erlaually drps as; the `Wet :brushes 'bend after months of inse, `Uit r:has been found-'that `toitactjpetti/eenone ofthe 'brushes vthe Yplate l is often y broken er `'partly preken. 'niet as, :either fthe entire tip of trashv er 'eaehv other, A shutting ofi the flow nk weer mw the -prush v'avertie areas er1-eenen.

Thus one of the important advantages of multiple 'brushes is lost. For example, in the case of a two brush combination, the access of water to the two adjacent brush faces is stopped, so that the brushes will feed only about one-half as much water as before.

The above troubles are due primarily to misalignment of the brushes; rst, in relation to each other and second, in relation to the pressure plate. This misalignment, it has been found, may be caused by a number of conditions all of which occur only after the dispenser has been sold to a customer, and has 'been in use for a period of perhaps months. Furthermore, the ill effects of the improper operation of the moistener are usually not discovered by the customer until a number of improperly sealed shipping cases have broken open and valuable merchandise damaged or lost.

Among the conditions leading to improper action of the multiple brush are the following:

1. Since brush ferrules expand because of the gradual swelling of the cement in the ferrule, the space for each brush on the tank oor or on any rib supporting a brush must be considerably greater than the thickness of the ferrule when the brush is new. This allows the brushes to shift too close to each other.

2. While any two brushes are apt to touch at the tips when new, they touch over a much greater area after they have become bent. Thus water absorption is reduced.

3. After long constant use the thousands or even millions of feet of tape passing over the brushes grind down the bristles ends until they are much shorter than they were originally. The rear brush, nearest the pivot of the pressure plate, wears down faster than the forward brush because the weight (leverage) from on top is greater than on the forward brush.

In an effort to correct these conditions, the operator may, in replacing the brush after the periodic washing, transpose the brushes so that the short one is put where the long one was and vice Versa. The long brush then holds the pressure plate up so that it is partly or wholly out of contact with the tip of the shorter brush resulting in poor moistening. Sometimes the rear brush may have been worn so short as to require a new one in its place, while the front brush may have worn down perhaps only half as much. In such instances the new brush will hold the pressure plate partly or wholly out of contact with the worn brush.

Another difculty which has been met with is that when the worn brush is replaced, a brush of a different character of bristle may have been substituted. This has been particularly the case since the war, When Chinese bristles, considered the best for tape moistening, have been scarce and brushes with substitute bristles such as horse hair have been used. The horse hair brush stays thicker and stiffer when Wet than the China bristle brush. When a dispenser originally equipped with horse hair brushes is fitted with a China bristle replacement brush (or vice versa), the misalignment of the two brushes causes bad moistening.

4 of the greatly increased cost of brushes in the last few years.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the difficulties above named, some features of the invention being applicable to single brush units as well as to multiple brushes.

One object of the invention which is applicable to both single and multiple type brushes is the provision of a brush having a ferrule end of adjustable length, so that as the brush wears it can in effect be lengthened sufficiently to maintain the tip of the brush in proper relation to the pressure plate throughout a long period of use. This feature of the invention is applicable to all types of brush feed moisteners including the socalled pull and tear moisteners as well as the push feed type of dispenser.

In the case of multiple brush moistening units, the principal object of the present invention is to provide means for maintaining the brushes at all times in proper alignment with each other and with the pressure plate. This is accomplished, first by providing means for keeping the adjacent brushes properly spaced from each other so that the outer surfaces of the brush are in contact at all sides of the brush with the water in the tank, thereby providing the maximum feed of water by the brushes. Secondly, means are provided to raise and lower each brush independently of the other brush or brushes, so that if any brush or brushes wear, they may be maintained in their proper relationship to the pressure plate, thereby assuring correct application of moisture to the tape. By providing such independent adjustment, the useful life of each brush may be trebled or quadrupled. Furthermore it is possible to replace any one brush with a new brush, whether of the same character of bristle or of a different bristle, while still securing the completely satisfactory operation of the multiple brush unit.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the adjustment may be made without withdrawing the brush from the tank and under conditions in which the operator can observe the adjustment of the brush with reference to the pressure plate while the adjustment is being made. He can thus quickly bring the brush to correct position.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments of the same.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing part of a tape dispenser with the water reservoir therein shown in vertical longitudinal section, one form of adjustable brush mount being illustrated.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section on line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a plan View of the water reservoir and brushes with the pressure plate removed.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical section on line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical section of a water reservoir showing -a modified adjustable mount for a plurality of brushes.

Figure 6 is a similar view showing another modied brush adjustment means.

Figure '7 is a transverse vertical section on line 7-1 of Fig. 6.

Figure 8 is a vertical longitudinal section showing a water reservoir with one form of adjustable brush mounted therein.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the adjustable brush shown in Fig. 8.

"autoreise Figure iOf is aperspective viewfdfanotherfform of adjustableA brush.

vIn' the form' vofinvention shown-in'- Figs. f 1, 2,'3 and v4,"a twobrush moistening unitr illustrated in which means are provided fo'rr'adjusting the elevation'oionel oi the brushes. Thispermits one of the brushesv tobe raised and lowered as desired, and where necessary-the brushes can v"beinterchanged or- `one of the brushes4 can* loe-replaced, andthe proper adjustment effected. fTheconstruction is villustrated inconnection withthe conventionalpush feed dispenser'in which lthe tape lillisfed from a supplyroll2'2` by2 means of rollers '-2li'and 26, they latter beingA` driven through speedmultiplying gearing (not shown) by means of a crank v'28. Such dispensers `are well-known and are-capable of feeding quit-e long AIlengths-'of tapeV at high speeds. `The tape passes over a fixed guideplate` 3B, past aA shear cutter indicated gen-r erally yat 32 Iand underA apressure-plate`34=pro videdwthl a weightf which is desirably' adjustable towards and irom'the pivot 38,-upon'which the pressure plateismounted so as to vary'the pressure'of the plate upon the' tips of the-brushes. The pressure'plate is mounted over a water reservoir-62 lhaving aV brush 'chamber 4'4 and a lateraliyu projecting feed chamber 4S- to which water is suppliedfrom an inverted reservoir. Theresei'voir is shown as in the formr of'a bottle having a neck '-58 projecting intothe chamber Miami restinguponan-inclined supporting plate 52 on whichit-is held in adjustable position by means of a clip 54 havingl'a bent ear 56- adaptedtoiengage in any of a number of notches in the plate 52. The adjustment', ofthe mouth of" the bottle determines the-level of the waterin the tanky and this level will be maintained as long as there is water in the bottle.

lIn the construction shown two brushes are illustrated, the front `brush BIJ 'having' its ferrule end 62 resting inan'inclinerl position upon the bottom of the tank and spaced from thefront ofthe tankl by ribs' 65,` the upper part of the brush vrestingagainst the' lip 66 at the front of the tank. The Asecond brush` 58 hasits'lowerferrule end 'I0 spaced away from the buttend of therstbrush, thetippf the brush resting againstthe'tip of the'flrst brush. The lowerparts ofthe brushes which are submerged in the waterin thetank are spaced apart so that'free'access of the'water toboth sides of bothbrushes' ist obtained.

vThe'ferrule'end 70 of the brushl 68 is supported on an adjustable base. plate 12 which is 'xe'd'toa rotatable pintle 74. A simple "and 'effective mounting for this pintie `is illustrated, ysuch mounting comprising the plate 'I6 riveted to the wall 18 'ofthetank The plate iihas itslower edgebent into the form ofa bearingsocket 80 through which the pintle 'I4' passes. The plate 12 is'provided witha slot 82 for the reception of the plate 16. One end of' the pintle 'I4 extends. .into the feed chamber 46 `of the tank and is bent'and attened to provide a laterally projecting arm'd.

An adjusting'screw 86 screws througha'threaded opening'in this arm, thelowenend of^thelscrew bearing on the bottom of a shallow recess 88 'in the'bottom of the tank'chamber. A spring 9Il'is preferably provided, one leg92 of which bears againstthe front wall 94 of theA tank chamber 46; while the rear leg'96 is formed into a hooked .portion pressing rearwardly against screw 86 so asto urge the latter in afdirectionto hold the screw tip against thebottom of" the recess 88. "With this "constructionv it zwillbe seen" that by backing off' thescrew,Y arrrrtr'will` bepermitted to rotate downwardly, i thus lifting thelbase plate f1.2 .sand raising the brush suppor'tedff thereby. VAThepoid tion of` thefbrush maythus`y be Yacmirately fazdjusted byf turning the screw- "8'6 -andsuch -adust rnentlwillr be maintained until: a newf adjustment is required by the' changedconditicn of the brush. It 'will be seen that' the-screw is so' located in the feed ychamber 46, -which *projects at one si'deof the machine, that?itl'maybeffreadily reachec'l by fa screwdriver and Vadj-ustrnent made withoutzdismantling any part of'the dispenser. Furthermore, i the loperator lmay observe the position of the tipof the brush-with reference to the pressure' plate and thereby "secure accurate :adjustment under'actual'condtions `of use'.

Fig.' 5 shows -av modified construction `in which the brushes lare mounted onV a tilting basesothat a differential adjustmentofthebrushes is'possible. lnthisfway the contact of these Abrushes with` the f pressure plate maylb'e equalized. formfof theinvention is lshown in fa'threei brush unit, 'althoughit is notvso limited. "'I'hebase-'of each" brush is mounted inra separatebrushiholding' cupV or* channel 'I lll),V the threeI 'channels being iixe'dj on a plate |02 provided withl downlyL turned anges I 04 which are mounted'on-apivot pini I06. The pivot pin is supported by a bracket-IU8- secured to the bottom of the cup. AfAspringlIIl) urges thebase-in one direction "and `at theJ other adjusting screw is preferably located near one end ofthe tankso thatit maybefreached-by-fa screwdriver passed down-into "the" tank `atrthe side of: the brushes. Bychang'ingan adjustment of the base and v'interchanging'the'brushes-as may be required, an equalized pressure ofthe brushes upon the tape-fandfpressure plate may be secured. y

Figure 5 also-showsthe use'of brush spacing pins I I3 mounted near the top of the tank transversely thereof, and located between thefbrushes so 'as to hold the" tips separated.

Another modiiedarrangement 'for adjusting the brushes is shown inFigs.- 6 andll'?. This construction is; illustrated inv connectionwith-a` three 'brush unit, but obviously might beusedwith -a unit'of one or more brushes. "Inthis construction'each of the brushesisshown as attached to carrier arm 1 I I 4' which projects from al block f I I B. The `block VIIS has i'two vvertical'holes therein, one offwhichl I has a smoothbore therethrough,

and" slides onta guide'pin v|20. The'other hole in fthe block 22 Vis internally `threaded and through this holel screwsanadjusting screw I24 which maybe providedV with" aeknurled head I26. The lower end `of 'the'screw I'24 is 'rotatably mounted inan unthreadedbore I28 in "a boss rIiilformng part"ofthe*tank`1bottom. As shown in Figp7 thesadjusting-screwis locatedat ;one `side of the brushesso that it maybe'readily rotated without requiring: removal of the Vbrushes or pressure plate. Withthe construction Ashown each of the brushes'. may be individually' adjusted and theadjustment Yof `the tips of the brushes with'relation to thegpressureplate maybeobservedwhile'the operation is being carried out, so. that jquick and accurate adjustment .is possible.

Figures 8 and`9 `show a brush'havingadjusting `means Von its butt end so'that the'brush may be. raisedor. lowered inthe tank. Thislis .particularly .useful incase the brushisworn down, as it may be raised to a position .whereitwill function properly, andi thereby its. useful life rmay be prolonged. The 'figures showgalank containing a single adjustable brush, but obviously brushes of this type might be used in multiple brush units if desired. In the construction shown the tank |3 is provided with ribs |32 and |34 forming a channel for the reception of the brush ferrule |36. Screwing into the butt of the brush are screws |38, which may be backed oi, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 9. By properly adjusting the screws the tip of the brush may be brought to proper elevation.

Figure 10 shows a modified construction of brush having an adjustable foot. In this construction the foot comprises a bent plate |49, the vertical side of which is provided with slots |42 through which press screws |44 by which the plate may be clamped in adjusted position on the side of the brush ferrule. At the bottom of the plate |40 is a horizontal ange l, adapted to rest on the bottom of the tank.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be understood that changes may be made therein and the invention embodied in other structures. It is not, therefore, the intention to limit the patent to the specic constructions illustrated, but to cover the invention broadly in Whatever form its principle may be utilized.

What I claim is:

1. In a tape dispenser, a tape moistener comprising a water tank, a pressure plate mounted above the same and a plurality of inverted brushes mounted in tandem in said tank with their tips projecting upwardly into engagement with said pressure plate, and means for changing the vertical adjustment of at least one of said brushes with relation to said pressure plate and to another of said brushes, said means including a supporting plate upon which one of said brushes rests, a pintle to which said supporting plate is xed and means for turning said pintle and holding it in adjusted position.

2. In a tape dispenser, a tape moistener comprising a water tank, a pressure plate mounted above the same and a plurality of inverted brushes mounted in tandem in said tank with their tips projecting upwardly into engagement with said pressure plate, and means for changing the vertical adjustment of at least one of said brushes with relation to said pressure plate and to another of said brushes, said means including a supporting plate upon which one of said brushes rests, a pintle to which said supporting plate is fixed, an arm on said pintle and an adjusting screw on said arm for turning said pintle and holding it in adjusted position.

3. In a tape dispenser, a tape moistener comprising a water tank, a pressure plate mounted above the same and a plurality of inverted brushes mounted in tandem in said tank with their tips projecting upwardly into engagement with said pressure plate, and means for chaneing the vertical adjustment of at least one of said brushes with relation to said pressure plate and to another of said brushes, said means including a supporting plate upon which one of said brushes rests, a pintle to which said supporting plate is fixed, an arm at one end of said pintle and an adjusting screw on said arm for turning said pintle and holding it in adjusted position, said tank having a laterally projecting filling chamber, the end of said pintle projecting into said lling chamber, said adjusting screw lbeing located in said chamber where it may be reached for adjustment without disturbing the brushes or pressure plate.

4. In a tape'dispenser, a moistening unit comprising a tank, a pressure plate mounted above the tank, an adjustable support mounted in the tank, a plurality of individual brush holders mounted on the support each holding one of a plurality of inverted brushes arranged in tandem, means for mounting said support for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, and an adjusting device for adjusting the position of said support about said axis, said adjusting device including an actuating element located near one end of the tank at the side of the brushes so that it may be reached for actuation at the side of the brushes without displacement of the brushes from the tank or of the tape from its position between the pressure plate and brushes.

5. In a tape dispenser, tape moistening means comprising a tank, a pressure plate mounted over the tank, a portion of the tank extending laterally of said pressure plate, an inverted brush mounted in said tank having its tip adapted to engage said pressure plate, a vertical guide mounted in the laterally extended part of the tank, a block mounted to slide on said guide, an arm carried by said block extended across the lower part of the tank and secured to the butt of the brush, said block having a threaded hole therethrough and an adjusting screw screwing through said hole, said adjusting screw having a head projecting at one side of the pressure plate where it may be grasped for rotation without interference from the brush or pressure plate.

6. In a tape dispenser, a moistening unit comprising a tank, a pivoted pressure plate mounted above the tank, said tank having an extension extending beyond the side of the pressure plate, a plurality of individual brush holders mounted in said tank, each of said brush holders having a portion extending into said lateral extension, an adjusting screw for each of said holders mounted in said lateral extension, each adjusting screw having a head portion at one side of said pressure plate where it can be reached for turning the screw without interference from the pressure plate, and an inverted brush carried by each of said brush holders.

7. In a tape dispenser, a moistening unit comprising a tank, a pivoted pressure plate mounted above the tank, a plurality of inverted brushes mounted in tandem in said tank, means for spacing the upper parts of said brushes and means for relatively adjusting the elevations of said brushes.

8. In a gummed tape dispenser, tape feeding means for feeding the tape, and a tape moistening couple through which the tape is passed by the tape feeding means, said tape moistening couple comprising a tank and a plurality of inverted brushes mounted in tandem in said tank with their tip-s projecting upwardly into a position for engagement with the tape fed by the tape feeding means, and a single presser element movably mounted above said brushes, said presser element and brushes jointly forming a tape receiving mouth, said presser element contacting with both of said brushes in forming a single tape path past the brushes, supporting means for said presser element for supporting the same adjacent to the tips of the brushes so that the mouth between the presser element and tips of the brushes is always in alignment with the path of tape movement to receive theY end of the advancing tape, said brushes and presser,- element jointly forming self-adjusting means for maintaining the gummed side of the tape in en? gagernent with the tips of the brushes when the tape is present between them, and for maintaining the brushes and presser element in contact with one another` to maintain a nlm of water at the brush tips when no tape is present between them, and means for changing the vertical adjustment of at least one or" said brushes in relation to the presser element and to another of said brushes said means including an actuating member located laterally out of line with the tape path so that it may be reached without displacing the tape from its path over` the brushes, said brush adjusting means being operable without removing the brushes from the tank.

9. In a gummed tape dispenser, a tape guiding means for guiding tape in a predetermined path, tape feeding means for advancing the tape through said tape guiding means, a water tank mounted in advance oi said tape guiding means, s

a plurality of inverted brushes mounted in tandem in said tank with their tips projecting upward into a position to engage with tape fed from said tape guiding means, a presser plate mounted for pivotal movement about an axis near the forward end of said tape guiding means, said presser plate extending beyond the end of said tape guiding means and resting by gravity on the tips of said brushes or upon the tape when the same is fed between the plate and the tips of the brushes, and means located in the tank for changing the vertical adjustment of at least one of said brushes with relation to said presser plate and to another of said brushes, said adjustment means being operable while the brushes are in position in the tank, sain1 adjusting means including an actuating member located laterally out of line with the tape path so that it may be reached without displacing the tape from its path over the brushes.

10. In a gummed tape dispenser, a tape guiding means for guiding tape in a predetermined path, tape feeding means for advancing the tape through said tape guiding means, a water tank mounted in advance of said tape guiding means, a plurality of inverted brushes mounted in tandem in said tank with their tips projecting upward into a position to engage with tape red from said tape guiding means, a presser plate mounted for pivotal movement about an axis near the forward end of said tape guiding means,

said presser plate extending beyond the end of said tape guiding means and resting by gravitzsr on the tips of said brushes or upon the tape when the same is fed between the plate and the tips of the brushes, a brush lifter in the tank engaging the butt of at least one brush, and means operable from outside of the tank without removal of the brushes for adjusting said brush lifter, said means including an actuating member located laterally out of line with the tape path so that it may be reached without displacing the tape from its path over the brushes.

11. In a gummed tape dispenser, a tape guiding means for guiding tape in a predetermined path1 tape feeding means for advancing the tape through said tape guiding means, a Water tank mounted in advance of said tape guiding means, said tank comprising a brush chamber and a feed chamber projecting laterally from said brush chamber and communicating therewith, a plurality of inverted brushes mounted in tandem in said tank with their tips projecting upward into a position to engage with tape fed from said tape guiding means, a presser plate mounted for pivotal movement about an axis nea-r the forward end of said tape guiding means, said presser plate extending beyond the end of said tape guiding means and resting by gravity on the tips of said brushes or upon the tape when the same is fed between the plate and the tips of the brushes, a brush lifter in the brush chamber of said tank engaging at least one of said brushes, and adjusting means for said brush lifter including a part extending into the feed chamber of said tank and an adjusting element located in said feed chamber which may be reached for adjustment through said feed chamber so that adjustments may be made without removal of the brushes from the tank.

THEODORE H.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,705,609 Fletcher Mar. 19, 1929 1,732,638 Gautier Oct. 22, 1929 1,962,720 Krueger June 12, 1934 2,352,149 Gautier June 20, 1044 

